The tenants have requested to meet publicly with Quarles at the courtyard of the 812 E. 28th St. apartment complex to demand he repair all the neglected apartments and stop the extreme rent increase.

The management company, contracted by Quarles, sent a letter to the tenants agreeing to meet – but only with the tenants, and at a different location with a “moderator” with pre-written questions beforehand. The tenants rejected this counter-proposal and reiterated their demands, according to a post on STPLA’s website.

Soon thereafter, the management company sent another letter cancelling the meeting “until further notice.”

An organizer with STPLA told Incendiary, “He can try to avoid the tenants and use trickery and any attempt to disperse and isolate them. But even this won’t work because he isn’t up against just anyone. He’s up against the 28th St Barrio Committee! Give him a call and let him know you stand with the 28th Street Barrio Committee and [let him know] what you think about his $1,000 dollar increase!”